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Conservation Resources 
Lig-Free® Type I 



The Coming Centennial 



April 7, 1888, 



Exercises at Marietta, Ohio, April 7, 1886, Con- 
nected WITH the Celebration of the 98TH Anniver- 
sary OF THE Settlement of Ohio and the North- 
west Territory. 



MARIETTA, OHIO. 

MARIETTA REGISTER POWER PRINT, 

E. R. ALDERMAN & SONS. 



??X<L^, Q4. VUyU. 0-i 



-JO. 



Pioneer Day, April 7, 1886. 



Preliminary Statement. 

At a meeting of the citizens of Marietta, members of the 
Pioneer Association and others, held at the Mayor's office, 
March 6th„ it was thought best to appoint a committee of 
citizens to make arrangements for tlie celebration of the 
coming Seventh of April, and the following gentlemen were 
appointed: Captain George Benedict, Mr. W. H. Buell, Hon. 
R. R. Dawes, S. J. Hathaway, Esq., Professor O. H. Mitchell, 
Hon. T. W. Moore, Mr. A. T. Nye, Mr. Wilson Waters, 
Hon. W. G. Way. 

The plan subsequently adopted by this committee provided 
for the annual meeting of the Washington County Pioneer 
Association at eleven o'clock for the election of officers and 
the transaction of other business, and a general meeting at two 
o'clock in the City Hall, to be addressed by different gentlemen. 

The pi-oceedings of the Pioneer Association and the ad- 
dresses at the afternoon public meeting have been brought to- 
gether in this pamphlet, that the people of Washington county 
and others interested in the approaching Centennial may 
know what has already been done and what is contemplated 
with reference to that important occasion. 



M'EiSting of the pioneer association, 



The Pioneer Association, 
The annual meeting of the Washington County Pioneer 
Association was held Wednesday, April 7, 1SS6, at 11 A. M., 
in' the Firemen's Hall, the President, Mr. Douglas Putnam, in 
the chair. After the reading of the minutes the officers of the 
Association were re-elected, as follows: President, Douglas 
Putnam; Vice-President, William Ghnes; Recording Secre- 
tary, W. F. Curtis; Corresponding Secretary, R. M. Stimson ; 
Treasurer, F. A. Wheeler. 

Executivp: Committee. 
I. W. Andrews, W. P. Cutler, Henry Fearing, B. F. Hart,. 
L. J. P. Putnam, 

The resignation of Dr. G. O. Hildreth from the Centennial 
Committee was accepted, and Mr. A. T. Nye was chosen to 
the vacancy. Hon. A. J. Warner and Captain George Bene- 
dict were added to the Committee, which is now constituted 
as follows: 

Centennial Committee. 
I. W. Andrews, W. P. Cutler, 

Beman Gates, R. M. Stimson, 

A. T. Nye, A. J. Warner, 

George Benedict. 

The Association requested the Citizens Committee of nine, 
whose names are given above, to act in behalf of the Associa- 
tion, as well as of the citizens of Marietta, in making, in co- 
operation with the Centennial Committee, all necessary prep- 
arations for the celebration to be held on the 7th of April, 1S8S. 

The same committee were also requested to present to the 
Ohio State Archaeological and Historical Society at their next 
annual meeting an invitation to hold their annual meeting for 
iSSSat Marietta in connection with the Centennial celebration. 



Tliu constitiilion of tlic Association was alk-ied by slrikiii;^- 
out, as a cohdition for iiicinl)crship, a resilience in the .State of 
Ohio for a prcscrihed period, so that any person upon the 
})ayment of one doUar and si^ninj^- the constitution may be- 
come a member. 

Remarks were made by thfferent citizens as to the action to 
be taken in anticipation of the celebration two years hence, all 
indicating' great interest in the matter and a desire to do what- 
ever can be done to make that occasion one worthy of the 
event to be commemorated. 

Mr. A. A. Graham, .Secretary of the .State Historical So- 
ciety was called on to speak, but as he had been invited to 
make an address in the afternoon he preferred to reserve his 
remarks to that time. 

Repor r OF THE Centennial CoMMiTrEE. 

The chairman of the Centennial Committee made an in- 
formal verbal report, embodying a brief sketch of what had 
l)een done by way of preparation for the Centennial of i88S, 
as follows: 

At the annual meeting of this Association in iSSi, a letter 
was read from General Benjamin D, Fearing, who was unable 
to lie present, reminding the members of the approaching Cen- 
tennial, and of the importance of begmnmg to make arrange- 
ments for its appropriate celebration. A committee was ac- 
cordingly appointed to wdiom the subject was referred, with 
instructions to adopt and carry out such measures as should 
seem best adapted to prepare the way. 

This committee consisted of I. W. Andrews, Benjamin D. 
Fearing, Beman Gates, R. M. .Stimson, and George O. Hil- 
dreth. At the next annual meeting W. P. Cutler was ap- 
pointed in place of General Fearing, who died greatly la- 
mented in December, iSSi. 

The committee were early impressed with the importance 
of calling attention to the subject by a celebration of the 95th 
anniversary of the settlement, and arrangements were accord- 
ingly made for that celebration. Hon. George B. Loring, U. 
S, Commissioner of Agriculture, was invited to deliver the 
address. Mr. Loring was formerly the Representative in 



Congress from the district in Eastern Massachusetts from 
which a portion of the first settlers came. The celebration 
was in every respect successful. The Gov^ernor of the State, 
Hon. Charles Foster, and other distinguished men were 
present, and there was a very large assemblage of the de- 
scendents of the pioneers and others. The proceedings were 
published in a pamphlet of seventy-six pages, embracing, be- 
sides the address of Dr. Loring, the speeches of the after- 
noon by Governor Foster and others, and various letters from 
those who could not come. 

In the winter of 1884-85, the subject of forming a State 
Historical Society of Ohio was discussed at Columbus, sug- 
gested probably by the approaching completion of Ohio's first 
century, and a meeting was called to be held at that place on 
the 12th of March, 1885. The President of our Pioneer As- 
sociation and three members of the Centennial Committee at- 
tended that meeting and participated in the formation of that 
Society. It may be stated also that of the fifteen Trustees of 
the Society three were assigned to Marietta. 

At that first meeting of the State Society the following 
resolution, proposed by John W. Andrews, Esq., of L olumbus 
was adopted: 

'■'■ Resolved^ That th|^ Society cordially approves of the erection at 
Marietta of a suitable monumental structure to commemorate the services 
of the patriotic men wlio obtained a valid title to the North Western 
Territory, and established therein tlie principles of civil and religious 
liberty expressed in the ordinance of July 13, 1787; and the Society will 
gladly participate in the proposed celebration to be held in the city of 
Marietta on the seventh of April, 1888, to commemorate the ai^plication 
of the principles of the ordinance in the first permanent occupation of 
the soil of Ohio by systematic colonization." 

At the first annual meeting of the State Society held at 
Columbus, February 19, 1886, a committee was appointed to 
report what action should be taken as to the Centennial of 1888. 
This committee, consisting of W. P. Cutler, Charles Townsend, 
John B. Peaslee, A. W. Jones, and N. S. Townshend, recom- 
mended that the Society memorialize the General Assembly 
of Ohio to take such measures as might be deemed best to se- 
cure the erection at Marietta of a monumental structure. This 
recommendation was adopted by the Society, as was the form 



5 

of a memorial presented hy the committee. The same com- 
mittee was charg-ed with the duty of hiying tiie memorial be- 
fore the Legislature, and was directed to correspond with the 
historical societies of other States in regard to the celebration. 
The memorial is as follows: 

Memorial of the Ohio ARciiyEOLOGicAL and Historical 
Society to the General Assembly ok the State of 
Ohio: 

Your Memorialists would respectfully represent: That the 
conquest of the Territory North West of the Ohio River 
from the British crown was an object of importance to the 
peoj^le of the United States — second only to that of National 
Independence. That this object was attained through the 
wisdom and patriotism of the Continental Congress in guiding 
the affairs of the great revolutionary struggle to a successful 
issue — and by the valor, endurance, and personal sacrifices of 
the army. That after the treaty of 1783 securing this terri- 
tory to the United States, the efforts of Congress were suc- 
cessfully directed to quieting all claims of title by any of the 
States to this Territory — so that it became common property 
to be disposed of for the common benefit. That by the Ordi- 
nance of May 20th, 1785 a system of surveys and entries of 
land was established which has resulted in placing its owner- 
ship in the hands of its occupiers and cultivators. That by 
their Ordinance of July 13, 1787, an organic law was adopted 
applicable to this territory, embracing all the essential princi- 
ples of civil and religious liberty, with a full recognition of 
personal freedom and rights, and of educational and moral 
forces as essential to good government and the happiness of 
mankind. That Congress early adopted the policy of form- 
ing "distinct governments" or " States" North West of the 
Ohio River, and that the State of Ohio was the first to receive 
a practical application of that policy. That the army who 
had so heroically endured the exposures and hardships of war 
through that memorable struggle found at its close a bankrupt 
treasury upon which to dejoend for compensation for their 
services. That in this trying emergency a large and influential 
number of the officers, supported by -their Commander-in- 



Chief, entered earnestly upon a scheme of colonization which 
fully accorded with the policy of Congress — offering to ex- 
change th^ir " final certificates," given in settlement of their 
accounts, for lands in that distant wilderness — and also to ac- 
cept their promised bounties as a part of the scheme. That 
these efforts and plans of the officers of the army resulted in 
a systematic, well organized settlement of the country by an 
intelligent, robust, and industrious class of men. That in ma- 
turing their plans they exerted a direct and favorable influence 
upon Congress in the formation of anorganic law under which 
they were preparing to venture their all with their families 
and neighbors as the first permanent occupiers of the North 
West. That this scheme of systematic occupation of Ohio 
soil was consummated by the landing on the 7th of April, 
1788, at Marietta, of the Pioneer force who thus opened the 
gates for a Christian civilization to enter the great North West. 
That these Pioneers in common with many others following 
and occupying other portions of territory were subject to the 
dangers and great hardships of an Indian War, which was 
only terminated by the Greenville treaty of i795- 

Now, in view of the important services rendered to the 
State of Ohio — to the whole of the North Western Territory 
— to our common country — to the progress of civil and re- 
ligious liberty and the elevation of mankind, by the efficient 
agents and actors who have thus laid the foundations of many 
generations — your petitioners ask that some suitable recog- 
nition of the wisdom of states7ncn and the valor of the army 
may be made by the State of Ohio. 

In order that the virtues .and services of a most worthy an- 
cestry may be presented to posterity in an impressive form, 
that will lie best calculated to inspire a patriotic devotion to 
institutions and inheritances thus established for their benefit, 
we ask that a Monumental vStructure worthy alike of this 
great Nation and the noble men who have laid these foundations 
be erected at the city of Marietta in time to be completed by 
the 7th of April, 18S8; and to this end we ask that you will 
take such action as you may deem most proper to secure this 
object. 

The committee of the State Society presented this memorial 



to the General Assembly, and the followinj^ joint resolution 
introduced into the Senate by Hon. A. W. Glazier was passed 
unanimously by both Houses: 

WirEREAS, The acquisition of the territory' Nortliwest of the Ohio river 
by conquest from the British crown was an object of great National im- 
portance to the United States ; and 

Whereas, This acquisition was eifected by the wisdom and patriotism 
of the Continental Congress in conducting the affairs of the confederacy 
through the memorable revolutionary struggle, and also by the valor, en- 
durance and sacrifice of the army, and 

Whereas, The Congress representing the old thirteen States compris- 
ing the confederacy succeeded in quieting all claims to adverse titles to 
this territory so that it became common property to be used and disjjosed 
of for our common benefit ; and 

Whereas, By the laws and ordinances of that Congress the blessings 
of civil and religious liberty with full guaranties of personal freedom 
and personal rights have been forever secured to posterity ; and 

Whereas, The first settlement of the Territorj' of the Northwest was 
made at Marietta, Ohio, in April, 1788, where it is now proposed to hold 
a centennial celebration April 7, 1888, in commemoration of that historic 
event, and regarding this an appropriate occasion for the Nation to ex- 
press its gratitude for the services rendered by the Continental Congress 
and the army under its control ; therefore be it 

Resolved, By the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, that our 
Senators in Congress be instructed and our Representatives requested to 
use their efforts to obtain an appropriation for the erection of a suitable 
monumental structure at said city of Marietta, Ohio, to commemorate 
this historic event. 

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to transmit a copy of these 
resolutions to our Senators and to each member of the House of Kepre- 
sentatives of Congress of the United States from Ohio. 

This action of the General Assembly shows the j^i'csent 
condition of the centennial movement. It may fairly be hoped 
that Congress will entertain favorably the proposition of the 
Legislature of Ohio. 

Pur.Lic Meeting in the City Hall, at 3 P. M., April 

7, i886. 

At the request of the Committee of Citizens, Dr. I. W. 
Andrews presided on the occasion. The exercises were 
opened with prayer by Rev. H. C. Haskell of Harmar. 

The first address was made by Hon. W. P. Cutler. 



8 

Introductory Address, April 7th, i8S6, Celebration 
98TH Anniversary, Marietta, Ohio: 

When Napoleon undertook his invasion of Egypt — and his 
veterans w^ere sinking under the toils and fatigues of its arid 
sands, he led them to a point where those monuments of 
ancient art — the Pyramids were presented to view, and point- 
ing to their hoary summits he exclaimed, " Forty centuries, 
are looking- down zipon you ! " Under the inspiration of that 
sentiment the " Battle of the Pyramids " was the defeat of 
the Mamelukes. 

We are standing to-day where one century \% "looking down 
upon us." 

What did forty centuries accomplish for Egypt? 07ice the 
head of all nations — the world's fountain of wisdom — a 
granary for all peoples? Notjo with the richest and most 
fertile of soils its miserable populations have only the susten- 
ance that six cents per diem will bring them as the full com- 
pensation for their daily toil. It is no longer a nation. It 
has lords many, and every lord is a robber. It may be a 
geographical expression retaining its ancient and once honored 
name, but for all the grand purposes of humanity it is a wreck, 
a ruin, a waste place. 

Now let us turn for a moment to the one century that casts 
its kindly and instructive glance " down upon " us. We may 
call it our century as it reaches back to the beginnings of our 
civil and social life. 

I like the word century., as a measure of time, a recorder of 
human events. 

Days, months, even years pass away so rapidly, they leave 
affairs so unsettled, with such heavy clouds of doubt hanging 
over the future, while even the present is in confusion, that 
there is but little ground upon which to rest for serious reflec- 
tion. But a ce?itury well rounded up is like gaining an emi- 
nence from which the broad landscape of many days' travel 
can be taken in quietly, satisfactorily and most instructively. 
From this summit then let us look back and gather up a few 
thoughts from the store house of a hundred years. 

In July, 1786, one of the important preliminary steps for 
the permanent occupation of the North Western Territory 



9 

was taken. The surveyors appointed by Conj^rcss imdcr the 
Ordinance of May 20th, 1785, asseml)lcd at Pittsburg under 
the ijcncral supervision of Thomas Ilutchins, the geographer 
of the United States, and the surveying of the Seven Ran^rcs 
w^as soon commenced under the more immediate direction of 
General Tupper, Colonel Sproat, Major Sargent, and other 
State Surveyors. 

This application of science to running lines by the mag- 
netic needle — subdividing the virgin soil prior to its occupation 
— platting, recording, then disposing of the land in fee simple, 
without quit rents or other incumbrance of any kind to those 
who were forever to hold political power and control civil 
government, was an historical landmark in our National life, 
second to no other in importance. 

The Ordinance of May 30th, 1785, was the work of the 
old Continental Congress. Washington says that it was 
passed after " long and painful deliberations." Colonel Gray- 
son, of Virginia, says " it would have taken forty volumns to 
contain the discussion on that subject." Madison remarks that 
it was a " contest between the township system and that of J7i- 
disci-imate locations.'''' 

While personal influences cannot be traced with accuracy — 
because we have scarcely a page or scrap of Grayson's forty 
volumes, yet it was really the adoption of the New England 
plan — based upon the idea that every man should have a fair 
and equal opportunity to acquire ownership in land, and that 
convenient civil districts called townships should be laid off at 
the start. 

By this policy as respect lands tenure tlie question which 
now more than any other engages the attention of England's 
wisest statesmen and threatens revolution if not disruption 
was forever settled and settled at the right time. 

From our elevated point of observation we can trace the 
beneficent and permanent influences of that land tenure policy 
all the way across the continent; so that the wild schemes of 
Anarchists and Socialists are met with a quiet, but solid and 
immovable force of ownership of the soil;" every man sitting 
under his own vine and fig tree," with political, civd, and 



10 

physical power enough to hid all intruders " keep hands off'P 
Such owners cannot he molested or made afraid. 

We may also recall that other Ordinance of that old 
Congress passed July 13, 17S7, under which all the funda- 
mental principles of civil and religious liberty with full guar- 
anties of 231'otection to person and property were forever 
made the Organic Law. 

Along with these more common safeguards we also find 
the exceptional feature of prescribing moral and educational 
forces as essential to good government, as evidence of the 
wise foresight of these founders of the great repuhlic. 

But we may pass from these public acts which richly de- 
serve grateful recognition at the hands of posterity and trace 
for a moment the activities of that great pioneer force who 
braved the perils and endured the hardships of first settlement 
and cultivation. 

One general fact or condition may be recalled on this occa- 
sion; that is, the first settlement of Ohio and of the North 
West was started from along its Eastern border and was con- 
fined to that region which stretches from the Lake on the 
North to the Miami River on the South West. 

This district was also first occupied in distinct groups, each 
one having distinctive characteristics. 

First came the application of that preparatory process, the 
surveys of the Seven Ranges. 

Second. The actual occupation in the way of permanent 
settlement by the Ohio Company, extending from the Seven 
Ranges down the river to the Scioto. 

Third. Nearly simultaneously as to purchase and settle- 
ment came the " Symms purchase " between the Miamis. 

Fourth. The Virginia Military district between the Scioto 
and Little Miami. 

Fifth. To these distinct groups of territory may be added 
the United States Military district lying west of the Seven 
Ranges; also, 

Sixth. The Connecticut, or Western Reserve, the settle- 
ment of which commenced after Wayne's Treaty in 1795. 

It is worthy of observation that all these groups had their 
separate origins and distinct characteristics. 



11 

It was a Mosaic of foundation material in which the highest 
virtues, with courage, experience, endurance, and practical 
wisdom were finely and conspicuously hlended. These set- 
tlers of the Eastern horder not only incurred the hardships of 
pioneer life, but they withstood the brunt of the Indian War. 
They not only maintained territorial government, but all the 
Counties — nine in number — that organized the State of Ohio 
were found within the limits of the six groups of her Territory. 
In many respects they have distinct and separate elements of 
history; and the closing up of a century affords an appropri- 
ate occasion for a careful survey and recording of their many 
and distinguishing virtues. Posterity needs and ought to 
have their history. The finest of the wheat from New Eng- 
land, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania was planted in 
these different localities. 

From this base thus formed along its Eastern border the 
central and north western portions of Ohio were filled up 
after the Treaty of 1795 and the completion of the United 
States Surveys. This movement of population was more the 
result of individual enterprise, but none the less worthy of 
attention and notice. 

To one peculiar characteristic of these eai'ly founders of 
our Commonwealth I wish to call special attention at this 
time. That is the large representation to be found in their 
numbers of the old veterans of the Revolutionary and French 
Wars. Their lives were spent in first aiding the mother 
country to conquer the North West from France; then with 
the aid of France to conquer it from England; then after ac- 
cepting their promised bounties — and the only equivalent that 
a bankrupt government could give for their services — in lands 
they endured the perils of a third, Indian War, before all 
titles were quieted, and peaceable possession fully acquired. 

The memories of these noble men deserve recognition and 
a MONUMENT that will for all future time keep fresh and 
green their virtues and their services. 

Posterity cannot afford to lose the lesson of their lives. 

Turning from this general outlook it is appropriate on this 
occasion to recall the fact that it was here upon the banks of 
the Ohio and the Muskingum that the plans and policies of 



12 

the Continental Congress, in regard to the North Western 
Territory, cuhiiinated and assumed j^i'^ictical apphcation in the 
form of permanent settlement. It is well to bear in mind 
that at that time the policy of the government was positively 
hostile to individual enterprise. No " pre-emptions " were al- 
lowed. "Tomahawk rights "_ or "squatter claims " were re- 
sisted by military foi-ce. Early trespassers on public lands 
were ejected and their cabins burned down before their eyes. 
Compact and continuous settlement was the policy. The 
range^ town^ and section had triumphed over " indiscriminate 
locations." Washington said " compact, progressive settling 
will give strength to the Union, admit law, good government 
and federal aids at an early period." This immense real estate 
constituting the only resourse over which the old Confederacy 
had control was regarded as property to be disposed of for 
com.?non benefit^ as well as territory to be governed by a com- 
mon sovereignty. Although the preparatory step of surveys 
had commenced loo years ago (in 1786) yet no progress had 
been made in actual settlement. 

The Seven Ranges were treated as the property of the 
several States. Deeds for those lands, with a few exceptions, 
came from the loan officers of each State. It was right he7'c 
in connection with the event we are now celebrating that the 
essential principles of nationality, of the rightful sovereignty of 
a Nation both as respects property and government were fully 
and for the first time asserted and applied. The contract for 
the Ohio Company's lands was made with the United States 
in Congress assembled, and without reference to separate 
ownership of the States. The ordinance of government 
came from the same source and asserted sovereign power over 
the North West. Hitherto the Confederacy had exercised 
only delegated power from the States. But here was an ex- 
pression of the inherent sovereignty of a Nation. All this 
was confirmed, consolidated, and made organic by the Con- 
stitution subsequently adopted. 

There was a j^eriod of transition in regard to this import- 
ant question of nationality, dating from the full confirmation 
of the Treaty of Peace in 17S3. Mr. Read, of vSouth Caro- 
lina, offered a proposition in the Continental Congress on 



13 

April 33d, 17S4, as follows: -'The said settlers shall he ruled 
by Ma<^istrates to be appointed hy the United States in Con- 
gress' assembled and under laws and regulations as the United 
States in Congress assembled shall direct." This was voted 
down, only Maryland and Pennsylvania voting for it. The 
resolutions of the same date— known as the Jeffersonian — were 
essentially sq7iatter sovereignty in principle. The Ordinance 
of May 20th, 17^55 providing for surveys and disposing of 
the lands was essentially a States Rights Ordinance. That 
of July 13th, 1787, had in it the essential element of national 
sovereignty. The order of the Board of Treasury taken 
July 37th, 1787, was a direct assertion of a sovereign right to 
dispose of a large tract of land without reference to State 
Rights. 

The States Rights feature of the Land Ordinance of 1785 
was repealed July 9th, 1788. All these acts of that transition 
period clustered around the North West Territory, and it may 
fairly be claimed that the germ of nationality was planted in 
Ohio soil when the Pioneers landed at Marietta on the 7th of 
April, 1788. 

I have thus briefly suggested some of the topics worthy of 
reflection and discussion ; have pointed out a few of the ol)- 
jects of interest that a backward glance over otir century 
brings to view in the wide panorama of the past. 

From the time that Rufus Putnam enlisted as a private in 
the first campaign against Canada on the 15th of March, 1757, 
to the signing of Wayne's treaty of peace with the Indians 
in 1795 — a period of 38 years — this North West Territory 
was at all times a prominent subject of public and private in- 
terest. Trace the veteran soldier through his three wars, he 
was fighting for the North West; trace the old Congress 
through the Revolutionary War, it was to secure its acquisi- 
tion. Then follow their laborious efforts to quiet all the 
claims of the different States to this Territory; look over 
their prolonged efforts in maturing a system of surveys and in 
disposing of this vast territory. Trace the effects and results 
of that system from .the time that General Tupper antl his 
associates drove the corner stake, and marked the Witness 
Trees of Section otie, Town one^ Range one; follow that sys- 



14 

tern of surveys and land distribution across the continent; 
estimate tlie power, the wealth, the intelligence, the moral 
elevation, the universal happiness and contentment of the 
millions of homestead owners of the soil. Go back and trace 
from its first application here the beneficent influence of the 
governmental Ordinance; gather up the noble deeds of these 
war vetei'ans that now sleep in your Mound graveyard and 
other Ohio cemeteries; remember the personal sacrifices and 
services of pioneers in the civil line. Do this and you will 
find that this day's celebration comprehends a grand and in- 
viting theme for reflection, for historical research and grateful 
appreciation. 

But those earlier stages of western enterprise were not free 
from adverse currents and influences. 

The initial step was taken in 1783, when 38S officers of the 
army, despairing of any cash equivalent for their services, 
petitioned Congress to erect a New State in the Ohio valley ; 
allot to them from promised bounties and accept their final 
certificates of settlement in payment of land in that wild and 
distant region. This interval of five years ujd to April 7, 
178S, was a busy one in maturing plans and in choosing loca- 
tions. Several of the old States had lands of their own for 
sale and settlement and were consequently adverse to the loss 
of their best citizens to build up distant and possibly hostile 
interests. The " Ohio scheme " met with much opposition 
and even ridicule. 

The condition of affairs west of the mountains was at that 
time threatening to the authority and integrity of the United 
States government. 

General Washington, on resigning his command of the 
army, entered at once upon a scheme of internal improvement 
designed to bind the Ohio valley to Virginia seaports by the 
"cement of interest." 

In his letter to Governor Harrison urging those plans he 
says that the west then '■'•stood on a pivof and that the xveight 
of a fcatlicr might turn it any way'''' — either to the Spaniards 
on the south or the British on the nortlo. 

In 1790, Fisher Ames, who was a true frieiid to the "Ohio 
scheme," asked General Putnam two questions — ist, "can we 



15 

retain the west as a part of the Union?" and 2(1, "will it be 
worth the effort?" The best showin;^ that Putnam eoulil 
then make was that there was 160,000,000 acres of land 
which he estimated after cxtin^uishinjj; the Indian titles to be 
worth fifty cents per acre. 

The principal reliance then in the way of commerce was the 
" pelti-y trade " — but with fine prospects in future, from the 
native resources of the country. , 

He reviewed the three alternatives of danger — the Spaniards 
holding the month of the Mississippi, the British holding the 
lake and St. Lawrence outlet, and the possible assertion of po- 
litical independence by the people, but urged that if Congress 
would afford them protection from the savages the west would 
remain in the Union. 

' There can be no doubt that it was the location at the proper 
time here at Marietta and in the different groups of Ohio ter- 
ritory that I have named of a strong and influential body of 
men who were the personal friends and companions of Wash- 
ington, and who were firmly attached to the Federal govern- 
ment that averted those dangers — turned the '■'■ fivoV in the 
right direction and forever settled all those early schemes of 
secession and disunion. 

When the pioneer fathers reached their promised land here 
in the Ohio valley, they found the monuments of unknown 
centuries looking down on them; when Rufus Putnam built 
"Campus Martins" and planted his 100 acre corn field he laid 
the foundations of a Christian civilization upon the ruins of an 
obsolete and long departed heathenism. Archaeologists tell 
us that Ohio was once densely populated. By whom, or 
whence they came, or whither they went are questionns for 
the curious enquirer. 

But is there any evidence that these monuments of the past 
that look down upon us as we are here assembled to-day ever 
witnessed the moral, social or even industrial elevation of their 
builders? • 

What will be the testimony of another century of our his- 
tory as it looks down upon the results of its own activities? 
What will forty centuries bear witness to? Will this broad 
and fertile valley stretching from the Ohio to the Mississippi, 



16 

now the very heart of the most powerful and prosperous na- 
tions on earth, will it then he like Egypt — a mass of ruins — a 
witness agains the folly and wickedness of its own people? 
Will it go back to a more dreary desolation than when our 
fathers found it? 

Most assuredly there is a brighter prospect before us. We 
may hope and expect that the prophetic beatitudes of humanity 
may here be. realized; when the "vine and fig tree" will 
shelter every man's own home; when the plow and pruning 
hook will dispace the sword ; when the fig tree and myrtle 
will take the place of the thorn and brier; when joy and 
singing shall break forth in all places. What solid ground 
have we for such exalted anticipations for our future — as we 
turn away from the wrecks of time that now disfigure the 
face of the earth — where mighty empires once stood? Our 
hopes must rest upon the foundations, carefully and skillfully 
laid in our governmental and social structure. 

The corner stones are found, in complete guaranties of per- 
sonal and civil rights, in that " relig-ion " which comes in 
purity, freedoin and power to the individual — directly from 
the great Author of his being — in that " morality " which is 
an expression of the religion of the Bible ; in that " knowl- 
edge''^ which extends to all subjects of useful enquiry ; em- 
braces all departments, and calls into active exercise all the 
mental powers. Not only may we rest our hopes upon these 
well laid foundations, biit also upon the fact that this first cen- 
tury has witnessed an honest, earnest, and successful application 
of these organic principles in civil affairs and social life. 

I have spoken of the present as a centennial occasion, and 
have done so because the policy and plans both of government 
and of the projectors of the first settlement were in active pro- 
gress of preparation and of organization even more than one 
hundred years ago. In fact they date from that memorable 
year 1783? when the North West Territory was secured to 
the United States by the firmness of John Adams and John Jay 
who positively refused to sign any Treaty that would re. 
linquish it. Still there are two intervening years before 
the century of actual occupation is fully rounded up. These 
should be years of zealous work, in embalming the memories 



17 

and deeds of a moi^t worthy ancestry for the heiiefit of their 
posterity. 

Children can have no richer inheritance, no lietter stimulus 
to a useful life than the virtues and example of such a parentage. 
The Ohio State Historical and Archieological Society have 
kindly and zealously undertaken to encourag-e a suitable celel)ra- 
tion at Marietta at that time. They have also undertaken to 
promote the erection here of some suitable monumental 
structure that may through the coming centuries " look down " 
upon the teeming millions of the Great Republic and remind 
them of the organic principles upon which it was founded. 

To this end the society has secured the passage of a joint 
resolution by the Ohio Legislature calling upon Congress to 
recognize the landing of the pioneers at Marietta on the 7th 
of April, 17SS, as an event of national importance and worthy 
of an appropriation for a monumental structure at the expense 
of the General Government. The society will also open cor- 
respondence with other historical associations with a view to 
enlist their co-operation in these objects. 

The Secretary has kindly favored us with his presence here 
to-day— I cordially welcome his attendance and beg leave to 
introduce him to the audience. 
Mr. a. a. Graham said: 

About year ago a number of gentlemen happened to meet 
in the Secretary of State's office in Columbus, and in the con- 
versation which followed, the question of the near approach 
of Ohio's tirst Centennial was mentioned. This led to an ex- 
tended talk on the subject in which was developed the fact 
that the State had no historical or other society to which would 
properly belong the celebration of that event, nor any society 
to care for its historical interests. It was finally decided that 
I should communicate with a number of leading men in all 
parts of the State, and see if such a society could be established. 
The result of my correrpondence was most gratifying to 
those of us interested in such a movement, and a call was 
issued and sent all over Ohio, inviting all who desired to join 
in founding such a society to meet in Columbus, March i 2th. 
At that date a large and interesting meeting was held and our 
present society organized. We provided for an active mem- 



18 

bership of any who mitj^ht join l\v paying annually five dollars 
each; a life menibersliip by one payment of fifty dollars; and 
for honorary and corresponding memberships. The active 
membership was made the sustaining mcmbershij?. 

At this meeting the question of the Centennial of Marietta 
was bi-ought up, and a resolution, offered by John W. An- 
drews, Esq., endorsing the erection of a proper monumental 
struction was adopted. The discussion which followed evi- 
denced much interest in this question. Dr. John B. Peaslee, 
of Cincinnati, thought that it would be a good time to interest 
the children of the public schools, and suggested the plan of 
a celebration in all the school houses of Ohio, on that da}', 
somewhat similar to that now observed on Arbor Days. He 
was requested to prepare a pamphlet containing suitable prose 
and poetical selections for the use of the schools on this occa- 
sion, and the Society pledged itself to endeavor to carry out 
this idea. If it can be done, (and there is no good reason 
why it cannot be,) there will be held commemorative exer- 
cises in all the schools of Ohio April 7, i SSS, at the same 
time the}' are held in Marietta. Can you devise a better and 
more beneficial plan to commemorate the opening of the 
North West Territory? We wish to benefit the youth all 
over Ohio, and thus, not only direct their minds to good and 
wholesome reading, but teach them something about this the 
most important inland settlement ever made in our country. 

In addition to our work in the schools the society has pushed 
vigorously its work in all directions. I have given it my 
entire time. I have visited many of the cities and towns of 
Ohio, seen many of the principal men therein; and by per- 
ssonal work and by correspondence I have raised in one year 
a membership of 239 persons. 

In all parts, not only of Ohio, but all over the country, 
there is a growing interest regarding the Centennial of Mari- 
etta's settlement. It is looked upon, not merely as the Cen- 
tennial of Marietta, but as the opening of the great North 
West Territory, now the most progressive part of our Union. 
Here were planted the first principles of universal freedom in 
the fundamental law of the land. Here was planted the first 
free school system supported by a tax upon the land; and hei-e 



19 

was first developed the principle that to the general go\ern- 
ment belonged primarily the public lands, by whom they 
'should be properly surveyed and sold to her citizens. The 
memories which cluster about Marietta gather about no, other 
settlement in in this country, and it is but proper that the 
whole government should commemorate in a fitting and lasting 
memorial the birth place of these principles. 

In order that this might be done properly our Society pre- 
pared a memorial to the General Assemby of Ohio, calling 
the attention of that body to the facts I have narrated, and 
asking it to memoralize Congress to erect a memorial structure 
at Marietta. I am glad to say that that body took united and 
prompt action, and I expect to take such a memorial to Wash- 
ington in a short time. I feel confident I shall have the united 
and hearty support, not only of Ohio's Senators and Repre- 
sentatives, but also of those from Indiana, Illinois, Michigan 
and Wisconsin, and also from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and 
Virginia. I trust that there may soon be commenced at this 
" Plymouth of the Northwest " a structure which will be an 
enduring monument to the wisdom of the Continental Con- 
gress, the patriotism and valor of the Revolutionary Army, 
and the energy and sacrifices of the pioneers. 

In regard to the celebration to be held here in iSSS, I can 
only sa}^ that the exercises of that occasion must be managed 
entirely by yourselves, working in harmony with the desires 
of Congress and the interests of all. At the State Capital 
the autumn following, will be held an Industrial Exposition, 
in the place of the Annual State Fair, on the Fair Grounds. 
This will be an Exposition of the growth of Ohio in all ma- 
terial and educational interests since April 7, 178S, and will 
continue about six or eight weeks. We all hope to attend the 
celebration at Marietta, and then we hope all can come to 
Columbus in the fall and see how Ohio has grown since the 
landing made on the shores of the Muskingum ninety-eight 
years ago. 

The Hon. John Eaton, for the last sixteen years U. S. 
Commissioner of Education, and recently elected President of 
Marietta College, was then introduced and made an interesting 
and eloquent address. It is a cause of regret that he has been 
unable to write out his remarks for publication here. 

Dr. Andrews said a few words in closing, congratula- 
ting the Pioneer Association and the citizens of this county 
and region on the favorable outlook for an appropriate cele- 



20 

bration of the approaching centennial of the founding of the 
town of Marietta, the State of Ohio,^nd the Territory of the 
great Northwest. The event to be celebrated two years 
hence assumes larger proportions the more it is studied. No 
period in our history is so filled with events of interest and 
importance as that in which this landing of General Rufus 
Putnam and his associates at the mouth of the Aluskingum 
took place. And these events were all connected with this 
region northwest of the Ohio, and with the purchase and set- 
tlement by the Ohio Company. 

The questions that agitated most profoundly the statesmen 
of a hundred years ago centered about this territory on the 
northern side of the beautiful river. There was great danger 
that the Union would be broken even before Great Britain 
had acknowledged our independence. The wisest men in 
Congress saw a danger here as imminent as that from the 
armies sent over the Atlantic by King George. The danger 
grew out of conflicting claims to this very region. And when 
this danger was passed great interest was felt in the disposi- 
tion to be made of it and the mode of settlement. The prop- 
sition by the Ohio Company to purchase of Congress a large 
tract of land made a profound impression on the members of 
that body and on the Constitutional Convention in session at 
Philadelphia. An ordinance for the government of the North- 
west Territory, which had been reported, was committed to a 
new committee, and in a few days the great ordinance of July 
13, 17S7, was enacted. The purchase and the ordinance were 
parts of one measure. The whole nation was interested in 
them both. The chairman of the committee on the sale of the 
land. Colonel Edward Carrington, of Virginia, was made the 
chairman of the committee on the ordinance. Two others of 
this last committee of five were from Virginia and South 
Carolina, so that the great ordinance came from a committee 
of three Southern and two Northern men. And it was passed 
by the votes of five Southern and two Northern States. Thus 
the northwest and the country are largely indebted to South- 
ern men for this immortal ordinance. 

The settlement of no other part of the country had such a 
preparation, and that of no other part was so nearly national 
in its character and its attendant circumstances. 

While we honor greatly the memory of the Pioneers, the 
centennial in 1SS8 will not be wholly in their commemoration. 
In it the Statesmen of the revolutionary period and the army 
who conquered for us this region are to be commemorated. 
The local feature is not the predominant one. The celebra- 
tion is also for Ohio, for the five States of the Northwest, for 
the whole country. 



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